Coin selector for vending machine



United States Patent Inventors Heinz Kelch;

Eduard Schuh, Villingen, Germany Appl. No. 786,864 Filed Dec. 23, 1968 Patented Dec. 22, 1970 Assignee Kienzle Apparate G.m.b.H.

Villingen, Germany Priority Dec. 27, 1967 Germany No. 1,574,227

COIN SELECTOR FOR VENDING MACHINE I0 Claims, 4 Drawing Figs.

U.S. Cl. 194/ 1 [51] Int. Cl G07f H00 [50] Field ofSearch 194/1, 13; 222/2 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,478,856 11/1969 Bly 194/13 Primary Examiner-Samuel F. Coleman Attorney-Michael S. Striker ABSTRACT: The coin selector of a vending machine effects the use of inserted coins starting with the coins of the highest value and greatest diameter and progressing towards smaller coins having a lesser value.

PATENTED 050221970 3: 548 S90 sum 1 [IF 3 INVENTORS Heinz KELCH Eduard SCHUH their ATTORNEY 'PATENTED 05022 I870 SHEET 2 BF 3 FIG] INVENTORS Heinz KELCH their ATTORNEY PAIENIED M022 I970 sum 3 OF 3 FIG.4

INVENTORS Heinz KELCH Eduard SCHUH their ATTOR NEY COIN SELECTOR FOR VENDING MACHINE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a coin selector of the type i into which a number of coins having different values and diameters is inserted, and discharged into a coin receptacle in an order starting with the highest value coins while the vending machine delivers goods having a corresponding value, for example gasoline.

Coin controlled vending machines, particularly for gasoline and other fuels' are known in which the customer selects the amount of gasoline he wishes to buy by inserting a corresponding amount of coins. Any number of coins may be inserted in any sequence, and for example half dollar coins, quarters, and dimes may be inserted and stored, and successively discharged into a coin receptacle while the value of the respective discharged coins is entered into a credit storage device. As gasoline is discharged, the value stored in the credit storage device is stepwise reduced, and when the credit storage device is empty, the next coin is discharged into the receptacle, and the credit storage device credited again with the corresponding value.

Under such circumstances it may happen that the tank of the motor car is filled completely before all coins inserted by the customer at the start of the operation have been used up.

For example, if the credit provided by the last coin is not fully used since the tank is filled, the customer loses the corresponding value, therefore, it is necessary to construct the coin selector in such a manner that first the largest and most valuable coins are credited, and that the smallest and least valuable coins are last credited. If a large coin would be last to be credited, and the discharge of gasoline interrupted due to the complete filling of the tank, the customer may have a substantial loss.

For example, if the coin selector is constructed for the use of Deutsche Mark, and the customer inserts coins in the value of DM l7.-- into the coin selector, and uses two DM coins, two 2' DM coins, and three l DM coins which, in the beginning, are in three different guide channels or chutes of the device, at the beginning of the gasoline discharge, first the two 5 DM coins, then the two 2 DM coins, and finally the three 1 DM coins are taken from the coin storage. Assuming that the customer interrupts the discharge of gasoline because his tank is filled, when gasoline in the value of DM 15.35 has been dispensed, at this moment the two 5 DM coins, the two 2 DM coins, and two 1 DM coin has been taken into the coin receptacle, and a remaining balance of 0.65 DM is stored in the credit storage means. The last coin, namely the last l DM coin which is still in the coin selector, can be returned to the customer by a conventional coin return device. However, the value of 0.65 DM which is credited in the credit storage device and represented by the position of the same, cannot be returned so that the customer has a corresponding loss. If under such circumstances, instead of a 1 DM coin, a 5 DM coin would be the last to be taken from the coin selector, the customer would have a loss of 1.65 DM, since a coin whose value has been transferred into the credit storage device, cannot be returned.

Coin selectors for effecting the selection and use of coins in SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is one object of the invention to provide a coin selector for effecting successive use of higher value and lower value coins, and which is of simple construction, inexpensive to manufacture, and easy to assemble and service.

Another object of the invention is to sense coins of greater diameter first, and coins of smaller diameter last, and to couple the sensing means in the respective sensing position with blocking means which release the coins in the desired order.

With these objects in view, a coin selector according to the present invention comprises a plurality of open guide channels for coins having different dimensions, such as different diameters, and being open so that the coins project different distances from the guide channels; a plurality of blocking means mounted on the guide channels, respectively, each blocking means having a normal blocking position closing the respective guide channel and an open position for the discharge of the leading coin; sensing means biassed to rest on the coin having the greatest dimensions so that the sensing means moves successively to different coupling positions when successive guide channels become empty, and are coupled in the coupling positions with the blocking means, respectively; and operating means for actuating the sensing means to move in the coupling positions their respective blocking means from the blocking position to the open position. Consequently, the blocking means are operated in a sequence depending on the dimensions, preferably diameters, of the coins in the respective guide channels, so that first the largest coins and then the smaller coins are discharged from the guide channels. Since usually the coins having larger dimensions also have a greater value, the coins of higher value are first discharged into a cash receiving receptacle, and then followed by the coins of lesser value.

Preferably, the blocking means are respectively mounted on the guide channels and have blocking portions projecting through cutouts into the channels. The sensing means includes a plate which is movable in one direction between several coupling positions respectively located adjacent the several blocking means, and also movable in a transverse direction for displacing the respective blocking means with which it is coupled to a position permitting the discharge of a coin from the respective guide channel.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a coin selector according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the coin selector of FIG. 1, and also showing a coin testing device;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating parts of the embodiment of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a front view of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In the illustrated embodiment three guide channels for coins are provided, which are respectively formed between thin lateral plates 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9. The bottoms of the guide channels are formed by a fixed rail 10 in the rearward part of the guide channel, and by a pivotally mounted slide rail 11 in the forward part of the respective guide channel. The movable bottom rails 11 are mounted on a transverse pivot pin 50, and have a common arm 51 which may be operated by an electromagnetic means, not shown, to pivot all movable bottom guide rails 11 for discharging simultaneously all coins stored in the guide channels 1, 2 and 3.

The lateral walls 4 to 9 of the guide channels 1, 2 and 3 have high rear portions which are provided with outwardly slanted hopper portions 4', 5', 6, 7, 8', and 9' for guiding coins dropping through a coin testing device 12 into the guide channels. The coin testing device 12 is of a conventional nature, and has an insertion slot 13 for the coins. The coin testing device 12 rejects slugs,.and guides different coins having different diameters into the rear portions of the guide channels 1, 2 and 3. This arrangement is known, and not an object of the invention.

While the rear portions of the guide channels are high, the forward portions are lower and the height of the forward portions of the guide channels, and more particularly the height of the lateral walls 4 to 9, is selected so that coins resting on the bottom rails 11 project from the guide channels 1, 2, 3 which have open tops. Since the height of walls 4 to 9 is the same, and the bottom rails 11 are in the same position in all guide channels, larger coins will project farther from the open top of the respective guide channel than smaller coins. FIG. 1 shows that the largest 5 DM coins are located in guide channel 1, the somewhat smaller 2 DM coins are located in guide channel 2, and the smallest 1 DM coins are located in guide channel 3. For manufacturing reasons, it is advantageous to have all lateral walls 4 to 9 constructed to the same dimensions, and if the diameter of coins in the several guide channels are extremely different, the bottom rails 11 can be placed in different positions, as long as coins having different values project different distances from the open tops of the guide channels.

The outermost lateral walls 4 and 9 of guide channels 1 and 3 have hook portions 14 and 15 formed with recesses into which journal portions 16 of a sensing plate 17 are urged by a spring 18 secured to a bore 19, as shown in FIG. 1, or to a pin 20 as shown in FIG. 3. The other end of spring 18 is secured to a stationary pin 21 so that the sensing plate 17 is urged to turn in counterclockwise direction about the journals 16 until a forward part of sensing plate 17 abuts the coin farthest projecting from the open top of the respective guide channel, in the illustrated case on the rim of a 5 DM coin located in guide channel 1.

The forward end of sensing plate 17 has three downward bent coupling portions 22, 23, 24 of different lengths which respectively cooperate with blocking means 25, 26 and 27. Sensing plate 17 also has an actuator arm 28 which cooperates with an operating lever 29 mounted on a pin 29'. When operating lever 29 is turned in counterclockwise direction, the front end of sensing plate 17 is displaced in a direction transverse to the guide channels, and the journal portion 16 moves away from the recess in the hook portion 15 against the action of spring 18. In order to reduce the weight of sensing plate 17, it is formed with a central cutout so that only very light pressure is exerted on the rims of the respective coins, and the frictional resistance against movement of the coins in the guide channels is low.

Assuming that at least one 5 DM coin is located in guide channel 1, the projection 31 of sensing plate 17 rests on the upper rim portion of the coin, while the leading coin in guide channel 2, which is a 2 DM coin, is located under the bridge portion 32 which ends in two downwardly bent coupling portions 23 and 24 of different lengths. When the coins in guide channel 1 are exhausted, sensing bridge portion 32 rests on the leading coin in guide channel 2, and when the coins in guide channel 2 are exhausted, sensing bridge portion 32 moves farther down.

Each guide channel 1, 2, 3 is normally blocked by a blocking means 25, 26, 27, respectively, which are bent plates having forwardly located blocking portions 33, 34, 35, respectively, projecting through cutouts 4", 6", 8" into the respective guide channels 1, 2, and 3 and blocking movement of the coins in the same. The rear ends of the blocking means 25, 26, 27, respectively, have holding portions 36, 37, 38 which are shorter than the blocking portions 33, 34, 35, and are located in other cutouts 4", 6' 8" in the lateral walls 4, 6, 8 of the guide channels 1, 2, 3. Each blocking means has a bore through which a pin 42, 43, 44, respectively, passes on which a spring 45, 46, 47, respectively, is mounted for urging the respective blocking means 25, 26, 27 to the blocking position in which respective blocking portion 33, 34, 35 is located in the respective guide channel 1, 2, 3 for blocking the coins in the same. The bent shape of the blocking means, and the respective mounting springs 45, 46, 47 permit an angular movement of each blocking means to a position in which the blocking portion 33, 34, 35, respectively, is located outside of the respective guide channel 1, 2, 3, while the holding portion 36, 37, 38, respectively, projects into the same and engages a trailing coin in the respective guide channel for momentarily holding the same while the leading coin moves in forward direction out of the respective guide channel. The rocking movement of the blocking means is facilitated by a fold line 39, 40, 41, respectively, in the respective blocking plate.

As explained above, if a 5 DM coin is located in guide channel 1, sensing plate 17 rests on the same with portion 31, and in this position, the coupling portion 22 is also located in the region of the cutout 4" and adjacent the respective blocking means 25. Therefore, if operating lever 29 is actuated to shift the sensing plate 17 in transverse direction, coupling portion 22 engages blocking means 25 and pushes the same from the blocking position in which blocking portion 33 blocks guide channel 1, to an open position permitting the leading coin in guide channel 1 to be discharged from the same, while the holding portion 36 resiliently holds the next following coin in guide channel 1 until lever 29 returns to its initial position and permits sensing plate 17 to return to its normal position in which blocking means 25 blocks guide channel 1 with blocking portion 33.

Coupling portions 26 and 24 are also transversely displaced during the movement of the sensing plate 17, but due to the high position of sensing plate 17 determined by the large diameter of the 5 DM coin, coupling portions 23 and 24 are located above the corresponding blocking means 26 and 27, and cannot displace the same.

When all 5 DM coins have been discharged from guide channel 1, the weight, or the action of spring 18, turns sensing plate 17 downward to a position in which bridge portion 32 abuts the 2 DM coin leading in guide channel 2 so that coupling portion 23 is located in the cutout 6" adjacent the blocking means 26. When operating lever 29 is now actuated, and sensing plate 17 transversely displaced, coupling portion 3 presses blocking means 26 to a position in which blocking portion 34 is retracted from the second guide channel 2 and the leading 2 DM coin is discharged, while the trailing coin is held by the holding portion 37 entering guide channel 2 to a limited extent. When all 2 DM coins are discharged from guide channel 2, sensing plate 17 can move downward to its lowest coupling position in which the shortest coupling portion 24 is located in cutout 8" and cooperates with blocking means 27 to push the same to a position opening guide channel 3 by the retracted blocking portion 35, while the holding portion 38 holds the trailing coin in guide channel 3.

In the normal blocking position of the rockable blocking means 25, 26, 27, the flat portions of the same resiliently abut the respective lateral walls 4, 6, 8, while the blocking portions 33, 34, 35 project into the guide channels 1, 2, 3 and retain the coins in the same. The holding portions 36, 37 38 are located in the cutouts 4", 6", 8" but do not yet project into the guide channels.

Assuming that 13 coins in the form of 1 DM, 2 DM, and 5 DM coins are inserted into slot 13, the coins pass through the testing device 12 and are distributed in accordance with their dimensions and value into the guide channels 1, 2 and 3, falling into the rear portions of the same and rolling toward the front portions of the guide channel until respective leading coins are stopped by the blocking portions 33, 34, 35 of the blocking means 25, 26, 27. The sequence in which the coins are inserted into slot 13 of the testing device is immaterial. The leading coin in guide channel 1 slightly raises the sensing plate 17 by engaging the projection 31 of the same so that the sensing bridge portion 32, which is located above the leading coin in the second guide channel 2, is located slightly above the coin without touching the same. The leading coin in the guide channel 3 is located outside of the sensing bridge 32, and need not have any influence on the sensing plate since it has the smallest value, and not further coins of lesser value follow the 1 DM coins.

coupling position in which the coupling portions 23 and 24 are located above the blocking means 26 and 27, respectively,

while the coupling portion 22 is located adjacent blocking means 25 in cutout 4".

When. the vending operation starts, for example the dispensing of gasoline, the flow of the dispensed fluid causes movement of the operating lever 29 about its axis 29 in counterclockwise direction, which may be effected by an electromagnet or by a mechanical linkage so that sensing plate 17 is turned in a direction transverse to the guide channels in counterclockwise direction, while the respective journal portion l6.moves out of the recess of the bearing portion of the lateral wall 4. Since coupling portion 22 is coupled with blockingimeans 25, the same is angularly displaced, and its blocking portion 33 retracted from guide channel 1 permitting the leading 5 DM coin to roll out of the open forward end of guide channel 1, while the trailing 5 DM coin is temporarily frictionally held by the holding portion 36 entering guide channel -1 through cutout 4". When operating lever 29 returns to its initial position, spring 18 turns sensing plate 17 back to its, initial position, and blocking means returns to its blocking position for stopping movement of the next following coin which is no longer held by holding portion 36.

The 5 DM coin discharged from the forward end of guide channel 1 is sensed in a manner which is not an object of the present invention, and its value'stored in a storing device.-

During the dispensing of gasoline, the storing device is gradually returned to the zero position, whereupon operating lever 29 is again actuated to cause the discharge of the next following 5 DM coin from guide channel 1. When the supply of 5 DM coins is exhausted, sensing plate 17 moves downward about the axis defined by journals 16 to the next coupling position in which, sensing bridge 32 rests on the upper rim of the leading 2 DM coin, and the short coupling portion 23 is lowered to a position located in cutout 6" adjacent blocking means 26 so that the following actuation of operating lever 29 displaces blocking means 26 to an open position in which blocking portion'34 is retracted, and the leading 2 DM coin is discharged from guide channel 2 while the next following 2 -DM coin is temporarily frictionally held by holding portion 37.

ment of sensingplate 17 moves blocking means 27 from the blocking position in which blocking portion is located in guide channel 3, to the open position in which blocking portion 35 is retracted and permits the passage of the leading coin in guide channel 3.

When all bottom rails 11 are simultaneously operated by an electromagnetic means acting on the arm 51, all coins are simultaneously discharged into a return chute.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in other types of vending machines differing from types described above.

Whilethe invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in a vending machine having a coin selector for selecting coins in the order of their value, it "is not'intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.

We claim:

1. Coin selector comprising a plurality of open guide channels for coins having different dimensions, respectively, and being open so that the coins project different distances, respectively, from said guide channels; a plurality of blocking means mounted on said guide channels, respectively, each blocking means having a normal blocking position closing the respective guide channel, and an open position for the discharge of the leading coin from the respective guide chan nel; sensing means disposed opposite said open guide channels and biased to rest on the coin havingthe greatest dimensions so that said sensing means ,moves successively to diflIe ent coupling positions when successive guide channels beboine empty, said sensing means being coupled in said coupling positions with said blocking means, respectively; and operating means for actuating said sensing means to move in said coupling positions the respective blocking means from said blocking position to said open position whereby said blocking means are operated in a sequence'depending on the dimensions of said coins in the respective guide channels so that first the largest coins and then smaller coins are discharged from said guide channels.

2. Coin selector as claimed in claim 1 comprising means mounting said sensing means for movement in one direction between said coupling positions, and for movement in a direction transverse to said one-direction and to said guide channels for operating said blocking means.

3. Coin selector as claimed in claim 2 wherein said sensing means has a plurality of coupling portions wherein one of said coupling portions is located adjacent the respective blocking means in each of said coupling positions so that actuation of said sensing means by said operating means in said transverse direction causes operation of the blocking means adjacent which a coupling portion is located.

4. Coin selector as claimed in claim 3 wherein said coupling portions have different lengths in said one direction.

5. Coin selector as claimed in claim 3 wherein said sensing means includes an elongated sensing plate having bent over coupling portions at one end, and aligned journal portions at the other end; wherein said mounting means include a pair of hook projection of said guide channels having recesses for receiving said journal portions at the other end of said plate whereby said plate turns about said journal portions between said coupling positions, and whereby one of said journal portions moves out of the respective recess when said sensing plate is moved by said operating means in said transverse direction; said sensing means including spring means biasing said sensing plate toward said coins and guide channels, and to a position in which both journal portions are located in said recesses, respectively.

6. Coin selector as claimed in claim 5 wherein said sensing plate has an actuating projection; and wherein said operating means includes an operating lever cooperating with said actuating projection for moving said plate in said transverse direction.

7. Coin selector as claimed in claim I wherein said guide channels have lateral walls formed with cutouts; wherein each blocking means includes a blocking member mounted on the respective lateral wall and having a blocking projection projecting in said normal blocking position through the respective cutout into said guide channel for blocking the same and being located outside of said guide channel in said open position of said blocking means, and a spring biasing said blocking means toward said blocking position.

8. Coin selector as claimed in claim 7 wherein each blocking member includes a bent blocking plate mounted on said lateral wall for rocking movement and having said blocking projection at one end, and a holding projection at the other end projecting through another cutout in the respective lateral wall in said open position for holding the next following coin in the respective guide channel, said holding projection being located outside of said guide channel in said blockingv l0. Coin selector as claimed in claim 1 wherein said guide channels include adjustable bottom rails for adjusting the 

